King Avenue Digest 3/5/25

April 5, 2025

 

*NEW ANNOUNCEMENTS AND QUICKLY-APPROACHING EVENTS* 

  • SUNDAY,  April 6 & 13: Rainbow Connections T-shirt Sale - Rainbow Connections, our LGBTQ+ ministry, is selling t shirts to prepare for Pride! They will be taking pre-orders after both worship services on March 30, April 6, and April 13. $25/shirt for adults, $18/shirt for kids. All proceeds will help Rainbow Connections to continue to be a safe harbor for LGBTQ+ Christians and allies, and witness to God's love for all people. If you'd like to order and pay online, you can do that at any time between now and April 13. CLICK TO ORDER AND PAY ONLINE.

  • Open April – June: Celebrating PRIDE at King Avenue - King Avenue UMC has a long history of blazing trails of inclusion for LGBTQ+ persons. The History Committee has been gathering photos and artifacts to chronicle our important journey. Stop in the Heber History Room on Sundays beginning April 6 through June and learn more about our story.

  • *NEW* "Mark Your Calendar! CYFM-led Sunday Worship, April 27, 2024 - On April 27th, we will celebrate CYFM-led Sunday Worship during both services. For the second time, children and youth are invited to lead each part in Morning Blend and 11 am. Available roles include: announcements, scripture reading, witness, special music, prayers, children’s message, ushers, and greeters. Begin discussing this exciting and unique opportunity with your children now! (Please contact Gwen at gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com with all questions and concerns.)

  • *NEW* Thursday, May 1: Chris Bradley Memorial Blood Drive - Mark your calendar! Every drop of blood can save a life. Join us for the Chris Bradley Memorial Blood Drive, hosted with Versiti—a blood donation center dedicated to saving lives through donation, research, and care. If you’ve been turned away before, please try again—Versiti welcomes everyone. This drive also supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, raising awareness for blood cancer and the ongoing need for donations. Sign up today and make a difference! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR A SPOT.

HOLY WEEK WORSHIP

  • Sunday, April 13: Palm Sunday Worship - "Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!" Palm Sunday, April 13, marks the start of Holy week. Join King Avenue UMC at 9am or 11am worship to sing our loud hosannas and wave palm branches! Bring family and friends. All are welcome

  • Thursday, April 17: Maundy Thursday Worship - Experience a time of sacred reflection this Maundy Thursday, April 17th, at King Avenue. Join us for a service featuring contemplative music and worship, reflection through our labyrinth and prayer stations, and the sharing of Holy Communion, as we remember Jesus' Last Supper and his call to love. This service begins at 7:00pm in the King Avenue Sanctuary.

  • Friday, April 18: Good Friday Tenebrae - Join your King Avenue family for a Good Friday Tenebrae Worship service. This reflective service uses the symbolic extinguishing of candles as the passion story unfolds, evoking the "darkness" (tenebrae in Latin) of Christ's death. As the candles are extinguished one by one, culminating in the Christ candle, we will contemplate his sacrifice and prepare our hearts for the joy of Easter. This service begins at 7:00pm in the King Avenue Sanctuary.

  • Sunday, April 20: Easter Worship - On Sunday, April 20th, we celebrate Easter Worship, affirming our identity as 'Easter People.' This season highlights the profound truth of Christ's victory over death, signifying our ongoing renewal through God's Love and saving Grace. Come and worship with your King Avenue family as we sing praises and step into the new life offered to us. Services will be held at 9am and 11am. All are welcome!

KEEP READING FOR THE REST OF OUR CURRENT HAPPENINGS AND NEWS...  

  • Saturday, April 12: Upcoming Men's Small Group - The next King Avenue Men's Small Group meeting is Saturday, 4/12/2025 from 10:30 AM to noon. Location: 4156 Marland Drive Columbus, OH 43224. We will focus on teaching of the Pastor of the 'Middle Church' in NYC, Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis. The group will be discussing elements of some of her recent sermons. No preparation is needed. Contact Roger Blocher if you have any questions at 614-296-7182. 

  • DUE Sunday, April 13: CYFM’s OPEN Devotions Art Project - Children and youth (18 yrs and under) are invited to submit 2-D art reflecting the life, message, and stories of Jesus. This is one way children can participate in the congregation’s study of the gospels this spring. Please write the child’s name and age on the back. Drop off artwork to Gwen by Palm Sunday, April 13th. 

  • Holy Week Schedule -
    Sunday, April 13 - Palm Sunday, 9am & 11am
    Thursday, April 17 - Maundy Thursday Worship, 7pm
    Friday, April 18 - Good Friday Tenebrae Worship, 7pm
    Sunday, April 20 - Easter Worship, 9am & 11am

  • Thursday, May 1: Chris Bradley Memorial Blood Drive - Mark your calendar! Every drop of blood can save a life. Join us for the Chris Bradley Memorial Blood Drive, hosted with Versiti—a blood donation center dedicated to saving lives through donation, research, and care. If you’ve been turned away before, please try again—Versiti welcomes everyone. This drive also supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, raising awareness for blood cancer and the ongoing need for donations. Sign up today and make a difference! SIGN UP FOR A DONATION SLOT

  • MAD Camp, June 2-6: Keep this on your radar for summer planning…  Let your creative side run wild as you explore music, art, drama, and creative writing at M.A.D. Camp June 2-6, 2025 from 5:30-9:00 pm! This fantastic experience is the first offering of its kind from King Avenue Players and King Avenue UMC. If you are a child currently in Grades K-8, then you are eligible to sign up! The cost per child is $22.50 and it includes dinner each evening at 5:30 pm. There will also be a family dinner on Friday night before our final Showcase and Art Show to celebrate our campers and their talents. Click on this link for more information and to register. REGISTER HERE.

  • OPEN, Our Daily Devotional - Join your King Avenue family in reading through the Gospels and Acts in 2025! Starting in January, we will begin OPEN, a daily devotional that will deliver a bite-sized reading from the Gospels to your email inbox daily. The best part is many of the devotionals will be written by King Avenue members because we believe Jesus has something to say in the Gospels to each of us and through each of us. Our name "OPEN" reflects the King Avenue UMC theme song and positioning statement (Open minds, Open hearts, Open doors). In 2025, we want to OPEN the Gospels together day by day. If you want to join us in this journey, complete this form to sign up.  CLICK TO SIGN UP FOR OPEN DAILY DEVOTIONALS

  • Elevator Status -  We are still working to get the elevator back into working order. In the meantime, don't forget that there is a ramp off of the south door (off of Neil Ave parking lot) that will get you to Fellowship Hall for 9am Morning Blend service. We also have a chair lift to get you to the 2nd floor/Sanctuary. The Greeter at the west door (off of King Ave parking lot) can guide you.

  • NNEMAP Item of the Month for April - This month NNEMAP is asking for toilet paper. They have a goal of 5,000 rolls from partner churches this month! There are collection carts available in the back of the worship space, both at Morning Blend and Traditional 11:00 Worship.

 

FAITH FORMATION, FELLOWSHIP, AND SUPPORT

  • Recurring on Mondays: Retirees Church at Home - Is your heart yearning for a spiritual connection with other Retirees?  Consider joining the Retirees’ Church at Home, a weekly bible study that originated when the 2020 pandemic thrust many retirees into isolation.  Today, the group remains committed and diligent in providing fellowship, meaningful discussions and connection with each other. The group meets Monday mornings from 11:00-12:00 on Zoom, where various members lead the study using the devotions from the Upper Room.  If you are interested in participating with the Retirees’ Church at Home, contact Teresa Malloy at malloy29@aol.com or Dennis Chew at dennischew@me.com.

  • Recurring Weekly on Tuesday mornings & Wednesday evenings: Sermon Starters - Sermon Starters is a weekly small-group discussion of the upcoming Sunday's scripture lessons facilitated by Pastor Karen and Pastor Andy. Questions, insights, and stories help the pastors to think through their Sunday sermon ideas, as well as give participants a head start on their consideration of the week's lesson. Let Pastor Karen know (karen@kingave.org) if you'd like to be added to the Realm email group to receive the scriptures ahead of time. All are welcome in this "drop in" Bible Study Tuesdays at 7am in the Parlor, and Wednesdays at 6pm in the Chapel.

  • Recurring on First & Third Tuesdays of the Month: Rebels and Reconnection - Join this drop-in support group (18+) where we explore themes such as God and gender, purity culture history, and sex education. This group meets monthly on the first Tuesdays in Donnenwirth Lounge at 7pm.

  • Recurring on Second Wednesdays of the Month: Caregiver Support Group - King Avenue UMC Retirees Ministry and the Alzheimer's Association of Central Ohio are partnering to bring a Caregiver Support Group to our church monthly.  No registration is necessary and there is no cost.  This group is designed to support families of individuals affected by any type of dementia. This group will meet the second Wednesday of each month from 6:00-7:30.

  • Recurring on Thursdays: Young Adults Small Group - King Avenue Young Adults will gather weekly to be with each other, check in with each other and share how their walk with Jesus is going. Thursdays at 6:30pm here at the church. If you're 18-35 years old, you're welcome to join us. 

  • Recurring on First Saturdays of the Month: King Avenue Men's Group - The King Avenue Men's Group is a monthly get-together with men of different ages and backgrounds meeting in fellowship to discuss diverse topics of living as Christians. We meet on the first Saturday of month at 10:30am. For more information, please contact Roger Blocher rblocher01@gmail.com.

  • First Sundays of the Month: Kinship Campus Lunch - You are invited to our free monthly lunch at 12:30 pm in the Logos Lounge (basement, next to the kitchen). Bring friends! Email Gwen at gwendolyn.derosa@gmail.com with any questions.

  • Last Sundays of the Month: Lit Club - Join the Lit Club on the last Sunday of each month at 7pm in the Logos Lounge. All are welcome! Simply read the book of the month, and get together to talk about it. The month's book is listed in the King Avenue Digest congregant blast and also on the slideshow on the monitors at church. You can also contact Rick Gilson (rickgilson@yahoo.com) to find out what the month's book is or if you'd like to be added to the communication group in Realm.

  • Every Other Sunday: Isaiah 35 Fellowship - Depression, anxiety, and many other mental health issues can challenge faith and hope and contribute to a feeling of isolation. Isaiah 35 is a confidential group providing fellowship, support, and prayer for adults with mental health struggles. We meet on every other Sunday (beginning 2/12/23) on Zoom from 7 to 8 pm. Due to the nature of this group, please contact Mary Bostian for the Zoom link and more details. (614) 371-0171 marybostian50@gmail.com

OPPORTUNITIES TO HELP

  • Open Shelter Lunch Packing - King Avenue packs lunches for the Open Shelter on several Tuesdays and Thursdays... 24 times in 2025. All hands on deck for packing 200-400 lunches at a time! CLICK HERE  for the 2025 schedule, and join when you're able. All days/dates are 6:00pm in the King Avenue kitchen. Many hands make light work!

  • Fourth and Fifth Saturdays: Gates Fourth UMC Community Breakfast - Calling all cooks, servers, and hostesses! Gates Fourth UMC serves a monthly community breakfast at 119 E. Gates St. King Avenue assists the Gates Fourth team with greeting guests, distributing clothing/personal care donations, serving meals, assisting in the kitchen, and cleaning up. For more information on getting involved, please contact Shawn Compton at comptonlaw@msn.com or (614)378-6758 or simply show up to Gates Fourth on the fourth and/or fifth Saturday of each month to enjoy a meal with your neighbors. The dress code for this food service environment is casual but please wear closed toes shoes for safety. The only skills needed for this three-hour commitment are to smile and bring hospitality to this diverse community. We hope to see you there! Gates Fourth United Methodist Church, 119 E. Gates St., Columbus, OH 43206 from 8:00-11:00am.

  • Ushers and Greeters  - Be the first friendly face someone sees at church! Our ushers and greeters keep folks safe and make them feel welcome. If you would like to help with this important ministry, please email Pastor Andy at andy@kingave.org.

  • Audio-Visual Volunteers - We are always looking for some folks who would like to learn how to help with live streaming our 9:00 and 11:00 services. You don’t need a lot of experience; we will train you! Please email Pastor Andy at andy@kingave.org if you are interested.

  • Item of the Month for NNEMAP - Each month, we are going to focus our donations on specific items our community partners. You can bring your donations with you on Sundays. There will be a place to leave them in the back of the worship space. 

  • Item of the Month for Hubbard Elementary - Periodically we are asked for items to help students at our partner school, Hubbard Elementary. You can bring your donations with you on Sundays. There will be a place to leave them in the back of the worship space. 

  • Hubbard Tutoring in Underway! King Avenue has been a community partner with Hubbard Elementary School for several years. One of the ways we love and serve our neighbors there is by tutoring students during the school day. Our tutoring takes place during the school day, usually once/week for a couple of hours. If you have any questions, contact Pastor Andy at andy@kingave.org.

  • Letters to the Casa - Our relationship with Casa de Misericordia doesn't end with one trip per year, but continues throughout the year with our prayers, our donations, and now with letters. We want to send letters to the Casa to let them know that we love them and we're praying for them throughout the year, even when our teams aren't there. You can help us out by writing a letter! We have people to translate if you don't know Spanish. Just give them to Pastor Andy leave them in the box on the welcome desk, or email them to Andy at andy@kingave.org and we'll send them to the Casa.

  • UMCOR Disaster Relief - UMCOR is the global humanitarian organization of the United Methodist Church that provides aid to people affected by crises and disasters around the world. You can contribute to UMCOR through Realm. CLICK HERE TO GIVE.

  • Use your Kroger Card to Give to King Avenue - Are you a Kroger Shopper? Do you have a Kroger Plus Card? If so, you can give to King Avenue every time you shop. If you have a Kroger Plus card, just log into your account, go to Community Rewards, and search for KING AVENUE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH to get this set up. LEARN MORE AND ENROLL

ADDITIONAL ITEMS OF NOTE

  • First Sundays of each Month: ASL Interpreter - King Avenue will be providing an ASL interpreter during worship.  Elisabeth Clegg will be interpreting on the first Sunday of every month during both services. Thanks, Elisabeth!

  • Chancel Flowers for Worship - If you are interested in signing up to donate Chancel Flowers for worship in 2025, please use this form. You can specify that your flowers be listed in the bulletin in memory or honor of a person or notable event. The arrangement is yours to take home at the end of that Sunday's service.

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